Stanford takes Div I top spot; Pac-12 has four in Top 10

CLEVELAND – With the final standings set to be released after the baseball College World Series, the winner of the 2011-12 Division I Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup Standings has been determined, with Stanford capturing its 18th straight title with 1384.25 total points. The Cardinal placed sixth place in women’s track & field, ninth in women’s rowing, 17th in softball, 18th in men’s track & field and 19th in men’s golf. Stanford scored in 25 sports, with the lowest-scoring five women’s sports omitted due to the maximum of 10 allowed.

Stanford will be recognized at the NACDA Convention in Dallas, Texas at the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup luncheon presented by Ticketmaster on Tuesday, June 26.

Florida is in second place with 1241.00 total points. The Gators won the men’s track & field national championship and finished 12th in both women’s track & field and men’s golf and 17th in softball. Florida scored in nine men’s sports and 11 women’s sports to date. The women’s soccer points have been omitted due to the maximum number of women’s sports allowed being 10.

In third place with 1104.25 total points is Ohio State. The Buckeyes finished fifth in women’s rowing, 21st in women’s track & field, 23rd in men’s track & field and 67th in men’s golf. Ohio State scored in the maximum number of 10 men’s sports and 11 women’s sports. Due to the Buckeyes scoring in more than the allotted 10 women’s sports, the 100 points scored in fencing counts toward the men’s total, which omits the five points scored in men’s golf.

Just behind in fourth place with 1064.75 total points is UCLA. The Bruins placed fifth in men’s golf, eighth in women’s rowing, 17th in men’s track & field, 21st in women’s track & field and 49th in softball. UCLA scored in eight men’s sports and 11 women’s sports, with softball points being omitted.

Rounding out the top five is Texas with 1032.50 total points scored in eight men’s sports and 10 women’s sports. The Longhorns won the men’s golf national championship and finished ninth in both men’s track & field and softball and 11th in women’s track & field.

The Pac-12 placed four institutions in the top 10: Stanford (1st), UCLA (4th), USC (6th) and California (7th).

The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in up to 20 sports — 10 women’s and 10 men’s.

The final Division I standings will be released June 27, 28 or 29 at the conclusion of the baseball College World Series.